title: [Occupational exposure to paint, lacquer and solvents, and cancer risk in the area of the upper aero-digestive tract].
abstract: So far, only few studies exist that have investigated the influence of occupational exposure to paint and lacquer on the risk of cancer in the upper aerodigestive tract. Based on data from the Heidelberg case control study which enrolled 369 patients with carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract and 1476 randomized control subjects, the relative risk of head and neck cancer in patients exposed to paint, lacquer and varnish was analyzed. The relative risk (RR) of squamous cell cancer (after adjustment for possible alcohol and tobacco effects) was significantly increased for the larynx (RR = 2.3) and the oral cavity (RR = 3.6). However, this risk was not increased for the pharynx. Our findings and a critical analysis of the literature provide evidence that chronic exposure to paint, varnish and lacquer is a definite risk factor for cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. Further studies are required to confirm these findings, and to identify more precisely toxic substances encountered in the workplace.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tisch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Enderle
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weidauer
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007764:Lacquer / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010150:Paint / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents
vernacular_title: Berufliche Exposition gegenüber Farben, Lacken und Lösungsmitteln und Krebsrisiko im Bereich des oberen Aerodigestivtraktes.